Oil Type Question, conventional and synthetic

Hey all,

I recently brought my '13 V6 in for its 60,000 mile service. I asked the shop to do the normal work that you do on a 60,000 mile service but did not ask them to change my oil because I had it changed only 500 miles or so before I brought it in.

Well, they ended up changing it anyway. I had been running conventional in it up until then and changing every 3,000 miles. They put in synthetic. My question is, do I just stick with synthetic now or go back to conventional? I have always heard be consistent with your oil so not quite sure what to do.

Thanks for any input you have.

 

If it was my truck I'd drain the synthetic asap and put dino back in.

 

You can go back and forth without issue. Older vehicles may need some of the chemicals to smell up dried seals. Or to keep them from drying out. But that's older vehicles.

 

It doesnt matter. Use either or. Engine dont care.

3k oil changes are for the birds. Step it up to 5K.

 

As a Tacoma enthusiast I'm always mindful and respectful of other opinions that what is what makes this such a great place to visit. I've always used conventional oil in my two Tacoma's (1st and 2nd gen); changed oil every 5K without issues. This video does give pause to wonder and think about available options. Rule out what you want and have fun....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSjrIwYpu2w

 

Even though it doesn’t matter, we have our own beliefs and preferences and that’s what we use and that’s what we pay for. If it bothers you, take it back and get what you paid for 500 miles ago. Personally it would have pissed me off if a shop took out my synthetic and put in conventional. So you have the right to be pissed too!

 

Conventional is a real man's oil

 

Syn cause it flows better in -50. That is all.

 

I would keep the synthetic. Doesn't matter if you switch back and forth. Just wait until your next oil change and change it back to conventional if you want. Or just continue using synthetic.

 

With the cost of synthetic and being able to run many more miles between service...does anyone run regular anymore?

I'm a cheap bastard but even my old Chevy diesel gets the Rotella man made maple syrup.

I guess maybe if you have an old leaker you just keep dumping cheapo off brand stuff in it. Only reason I can think of.

 

Ask 10 guys the same question and you'll likely get at least 8 different answers.

Here's mine. Leave it in, and change it to whatever you like at your next change. As stated, it won't hurt to go back & forth from dino to synthetic.

Your 3K OCI is wasteful and gains you nothing. I use quality dino and change every 5K. Could likely go farther, especially if using synthetic, but the only way to know for sure is get it analyzed.

 

A group III “Synthetic” is a more refined and hydro cracked conventional. Run the synthetic for the full 5k OEM recommend OCI and then use either synthetic or conventional for 5k from there on out. Doesn’t matter.

I’d be more worried about the “other” services they provided at a 60k interval. Most shops are total garbage. Diffs/plugs/transfluid swap?

Or did they do the typical oil change and air filter with plugs “tune-up.”

Half the time shops never bother to even grease the zerks.

 

This is why i do it. While i dont see cold cold often, running the 0w-30 that i do give me a nice wide spread for the few single digit mornings at the ski slopes as well as the hotter summers.

 

Like others have said, run it. It doesn't matter if you switch back and forth or even if you mix them.
I like synthetic when it's really cold out. An engine will turn over faster in cold temps with synthetic in it but I ran dino in my old T-100 for 270,000 miles and that engine was clean inside. When I changed the valve cover gaskets at about 221,000 miles, it was remarkable how clean the top end was. I used Castro GTX pretty much exclusively in that truck. My nephew is still driving it and it's close to 300,000 miles now.
Use whatever flavor you like and change it every 5,000. You'll be fine.

 

I live in Maine it gets cold I use what Toyota recommends for my 2011 (4L) the newer 2.7 says syn. The 4L says 5-30. My old 97 2.7 had in excess of 300K with 5-30 Guess they would know they pay for the warranty.

 

Just stick with the synth, why wouldn't you want it?

If you want to switch back for the next change that's fine too. Doesn't your manual call for synthetic anyway?

 

isn't synth another word for fake? ie synth leather. why would anyone pay more for fake oil lol

 

No.

 

The correct prefix is “syn” and it means “with” or “together.”

Synthetic means “involving synthesis” or “pertaining to compounds formed through chemical processes through human agency as opposed to natural origin.”

What is real?

Not to burst your bubble but every current “conventional” GF-5/SN+ oil on the market is a synthetic blend. Even the name conventional is going away. Pure GroupII oils have a hard time meeting current specs. GF-6/SP is going to be even worse for “conventional.”

Most “conventional” oils need a minimum percentage of Group III (think pennzoil, Mobil1, Castrol edge, etc) oils to meet spec. Congrats, you’re all running “synthetic” anyway - why not step up to the more refined product.

 

It doesnt matter